Macron calls on Israel to avoid further escalation, ‘particularly in Lebanon’

French President Emmanuel Macron advised Israel to avoid further escalation, “particularly in Lebanon”, AFP reported on Tuesday, citing the Élysée Palace.

The statement was made after an Israeli airstrike killed Hamas’ deputy leader in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

Macron told the Israeli minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz in a call that “it was essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon, and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area.”

Israel has been targeting the south of Lebanon since it launched its attacks on Gaza; however, this was the first attack on the Lebanese capital.

The World Bank has warned in late December that the attacks on Gaza can throw Lebanon in recession again.